Rent

Some might say it was a somewhat bold move to take on the challenge of Jonathan Larson’s 1983 Rock Musical based on La Boheme with its powerful adult themes on sexuality and HIV/AIDS and requiring for an amateur society both a young vibrant cast and five strong male leads. Yet Reading Opera Society have risen magnificently to the challenge to create a  polished and celebratory post lockdown production of the tragic tale on the small intimate stage of the Kenton Theatre

It may be part of the originally styling but the scaffold walkway and stairs and silver beaded curtain with the band upstage right gave the show a rock concert feel enhanced by the excellent light show. The result was some lack of sense of location or occasionally time as the story spanned a year across New York and a focus on the musicality and movement within the show. These elements were so good you did not mind too much when the fast-paced action and singing meant you lost a bit of narrative.

The production highlights were of course the show’s best number the wonderful “Seasons of Love” which opens Act 2 and was simply and joyously staged with the whole cast of 24 standing across the forestage and into the auditorium and a brilliantly staged version of “La Vie Boheme” to closes Act 1 with some fresh creative choreography which gave a new meaning to "table dancing".

This was a very fine production, well sung and acted, tackling a powerful theme with great skill in staging, creating truthful characters and emotional connection with the audience. But most of all the cast and audience thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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